• Source:JND
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Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that arises in the prostate, a tiny gland in men situated below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate generates a seminal fluid that feeds and carries sperm. In prostate cancer, prostate cells start to proliferate uncontrollably, resulting in tumour formation. This kind of cancer generally grows slowly and might not produce major symptoms in the initial phases.

Nevertheless, certain types of prostate cancer can be aggressive and rapidly metastasize to other areas of the body, especially bones and lymph nodes. There are various factors which increase the risk of development of prostate cancer.

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Naveen Sanchety, Director - Surgical Oncology, Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector-8, Faridabad explained the risk factors associated with the early onset of prostate cancer.

Common Factors

Age

Instances of prostate cancer are rare before the age of 50. With the increase in age, the risk of prostate cancer increases manifold.

Race / Ethnicity

Prostate cancer develops more common in African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry as compared to Asian, Asian, American Latino White men.

Family History

The risk of prostate cancer increases if a person has a relative who is a father or brother with prostate cancer.

Genetic Factors

Various genetically inherited mutations have been linked to hereditary prostate cancer.

BRCA1 and BRCA2, CHEK 2, ATM and PALB2 mutation in DNA repair genes are also related to hereditary prostate cancer.

Patients of Lynch syndrome are also at increased risk of prostate cancer, along with other cancers, like colon, rectum, and various sarcomas.

Various acquired mutations in genes may also increase the risk of prostatic cancers during a man’s life. Having increased levels of androgens (testosterone) and high levels of Insulin-like growth factors have also been seen to be associated with Prostate cancers.

Recommendations and guidelines for prostate cancer genetic counselling are based on the individual's age of prostate cancer, stage of disease at presentation and family history.

Lifestyle Factors

Men who consume a lot of dairy products have slightly higher chances of getting prostate cancer.

Obesity men with obesity may be at higher risk of having more aggressive and more advanced Prostate cancer and are at increased risk of dying of prostate cancer.

Smoking

Alcohol intake

Sexual activity, increased number of sexual partners and early onset of sexual intercourse.

Chemical exposures- chemicals like arsenic, occupations like firefighting, chemical factories that produce paints, refineries, and chemical weapons have been found to have a higher risk of prostate cancers.

Infections, which are sexually transmitted.

Injury to the prostate may also increase the incidence of prostate cancer.

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